A/N:Hey guys. Firstly, Merry Christmas everyone! Secondly, I'm not sure where and how this chapter came to my mind, but it's here now and I kinda like it. Thirdly, in case you guys don't know, there's a reference to CBGB, which is just an old music bar from the 70s, famous for its Punk scene. I really hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks for all the love this story receives!Much LuvGuys!

Punk Rock Princess.

The last time I experienced a Friday I met this girl of grandeur in a night sky dress with heart shaped lips.

So do I let possibly the greatest night of my life act as a level of expectation for Friday's to follow? Rationally, no. And considering tonight Blair will be accompanying her mother at the Archibald's in the immediate surroundings of her ex-boyfriend whilst I sit alone at home, chewing chips and watching a sappy movie, even more so, no.

And no, this is not about me not trusting Blair. It'll be absurd of me to even make a subtle implication towards that because this entire week at school she's been by my side, unashamedly holding my hand on walks to school in the morning, whispering sweet nothings in my ear whilst ruffling my hair during intervals and even making herself late for class on a few occasions because I just needed one more kiss.

What I'm on about is that I'm literally alone at home tonight like a freakin' loser. Even Jenny's gone to her friends place for a sleepover while my dad's in the bathroom getting ready to probably go out on another date with that mystery woman. And while I'm sitting on this remarkably uncomfortable couch at 6pm in my pajama pants I think I'm actually coming to terms with what it is Jenny told me on Monday morning. Before Blair, I was a nobody. And tonight it feels like without Blair, I'm about as meaningful to the world as an appendix is to the human body.

So now that my mind's decided to bully me into a corner of self-pity, the hopes for this Friday has fallen into the pits of despair.

"Dan..." My dad calls as he comes out the bathroom wearing a black leather jacket, tight denim jeans and black leather boots, "...I need you to drop me off."

My eyebrows furrow, "Where're you going?"

"It's just this little dance party in Manhattan. Punk Rock n' Roll is the theme." He spreads out his arms to show off his outfit.

"You've been spending lots of time across the bridge lately." I say.

"Yeah, it's just old band friends."

"When do we need to leave?"

"Uhh..." He looks skewedly over my current attire and the sorry situation of me underneath blankets already, "...15 minutes so you've got time to get dressed."

"Get dressed? For what?"

"You're coming with me to the party."

"What? NO! It's probably for old people...like you!"

He chuckles, "Come on, you'll enjoy it. And if you don't, the car will be there for you to leave at your leisure."

"I'm perfectly okay with staying in tonight, thanks, Dad."

"Are you embarrassed to go out with me?" He laughs disbelievingly.

"Well, yeah." I say in a duh-tone.

"Didn't you say Blair's gone with her mom to a party tonight?" He furrows his eyebrows.

"Yeah, but that's an entirely different situation."

"How so?"

"..." I try to come up with something, but nothing.

"Yeah, exactly. Get up, you're about to be rock n' rollin' with your old man."

"Okay, okay. I'll go with you, but on one condition."

"Yes?"

"You never say 'rock n' rollin' in my presence ever again."

My dad just laughs as I get up off the couch and move towards my room. Am I really about to go to a rock n' roll party with my 40 something year old dad? This is definitely the most loser, uncool Friday that I never could ever imagine because it's just that uncool.

Within an hour my dad and I are in an elevator on our way up a stupendously tall building to it's penthouse floor. The only reason it took so long for us to get here was because back at the loft he was arguing with me about what I was wearing, insisting that I get out of my plaid shirt, loose denims and suede shoes and put on a leather jacket, skinny jeans and black boots. And unfortunately, it was an argument he won. I swear if someone tells us we look like twins tonight, I AM LEAVING!

The elevator doors open and our ears are smacked with loud sounds of the speakers thumping Fleetwood Mac. But what's punching me in the face even more is the lady standing in the elevator doorway. It's the same short-haired blonde that Jenny and I caught my dad with the other night. Her face lights up when she sees my dad as her mouth broadens into a wide and welcoming smile. She doesn't even hesitate to pull him into her arms and the joy in her shut eyes and rapture in the chuckles that follow as they come out of the embrace sorta warms my heart. I haven't seen my mom respond to my dad like this in ages. And I haven't seen my dad look this happy in just as long too.

Once they come out of their dazing gaze into each other's eyes, my dad remembers I'm standing right next to him.

"Oh, uhm, Lily, this is my son, Daniel." My dad puts his arm around me.

"Oh hi, Daniel!" She's says giddily, "It's so nice to meet you!"

Before I can send the greeting back to her she's already wrapped me in her arms. She then pulls away and takes both mine and my dads hand, guiding us through the party towards the bar.

"Rufus, is Daniel here allowed to drink?" She asks.

"No, and especially not tonight because he's driving us home." My dad says sternly.

"Well then, Daniel, I guess there's not much for you on this side of the party." She tells me.

"No it's okay..." I get the hint - she wants to be alone with my dad, "...I'll go check out what's happening on the dancefloor." I reply.

"Okay, but if you need anything, anything at all, just let me know okay?" She says warmly.

"Okay."

I walk away from my dad and Lily to go to the dancefloor and almost too appropriately, the lyrics blasting through the speakers now go like, "I bet that you look good on the dancefloor." These old heads on the floor are going absolutely manic. You've got eyes drenched in eyeliner and mascara. Boots covering ankles, half-calves and even knees. Women wearing ripped stockings. Guys wearings leather jeans. Everyone wearing black nail polish. And heads bopping so hard that I'm sure necks will be hurting tomorrow morning. It's like I'm having a firsthand experience of the New York underground punk scene during the 70's. It's actually quite enticing to be honest. The only difference is we're really, really far from the underground.

I step onto the dancefloor, which is not unfamiliar territory for me, but again, the last time I was on a dancefloor I had Blair guiding me all the way.

To get my bearings straight I try to catch the beat with a snap of my fingers and luckily, I get it on beat the first time. And then the second time. And even the third! I'm about as shocked as you are.

Okay, I'm feeling a little bit more confident now so I start swaying my arms around subtly and honestly, it's kind of liberating, this dancing thing.

My heads beginning to bop now as the drummer destroys his set. Come to find, I'm actually enjoying all of this. I look around me and everyone is literally in their own world, not caring much about anyone looking at them. They're just purely having fun.

Before long my feet are tapping by themselves too and like a spell being cast on me by the power of divine rock n' roll, the guitar riffs send a burst of rhythm into my hips and I'm moving my body more than I've ever moved it before.

For the first time in my life I have a moment where the bliss I'm experiencing is by myself, for myself. And throughout the entire duration of this song there's a teeth bearing smile dancing on my face as well. The music comes to an end and in the few seconds of silence between this song and the next, I realize my heart's racing. I'm literally in awe at how alive I'm feeling, and I'm doing it all alone.

I probably spend most of my night swinging my hips, bopping my head, swaying my arms and sliding my feet. I'm not even intoxicated and I'm doing all this. It's this music. It's fucken electric.

Regardless of all the fun though, fatigue does take a hold of me and I have to leave the dancefloor, unwillingly, to go get a water before I dehydrate. I come to the bar and my dad and Lily aren't there anymore. Which is weird because they weren't on the dancefloor while I was there either. Anyway, I ask the bartender for a water which I get in a second and just as I twist the bottle cap and turn around to watch my fellow maniacs on the floor, my attention's swallowed in by the ocean blue eyes and Baywatch aura of Serena Van Der Woodsen. What the hell is she doing here?

"What the hell are you doing here?" She glares at me.

For a moment I don't even register that it's me she's talking to because I'm still asking her the very same question in my mind.

My eyebrows furrow, "Me? I'm here with my dad. What the hell are you doing here?"

"I live here asshole." She crosses her arms.

"Oh..." She's Lily's daughter? "...shit."

Her arms are still folded as her hip pops out and she stands looking at me expectantly.

"So, uhm, cool party." I say awkwardly.

"You're unbelievable." She snickers as her head shakes.

"What?" My face skews.

"Are you not going to apologize?"

"Apologize? For what?"

"For saying what you said to me Monday morning."

I take a second to gather my thoughts because is this girl honestly asking me to apologize for standing up for Blair? She must be mental.

"I think I'm the last person that needs to be apologizing for anything." I chuckle.

"What's that supposed to mean!?"

"Look at what you did Serena. You slept with Blair's boyfriend while they were still together and instead of telling her, you fled the city. And I don't think you understand how much that hurt her."

"Oh please, Blair didn't even care about Nate. I mean look, they broke up Friday and then this whole week she's been with you."

"Yeah, you're right. She didn't care about Nate. But she also told me it had nothing to do with Nate. It had everything to do with you just getting up and going. She said you didn't even leave her a goodbye note or anything.

And then you come back to the city, acting like nothing happened, not even letting her know you're coming back, only for her to find out about the whole Nate thing. Like do you see where all this hurt is coming from?"

Her eyes hit the ground as her mouth forms a frown. It's like she's actually realizing what it is she's done. Tears start drowning her eyes and her mascara's beginning to spoil. She wipes the tears away and looks up at me, trying her best to stifle her cries. Is it wrong of me to feel sorry for her?

"Yeah, I do see." She says.

My tone softens, "Well, it might seem like a situation you can't come back from but at least try, will you?"

"What do I even do, Dan?"

"Maybe start with apologizing? Sincerely and vehemently?" I say as if it's obvious.

"You don't know Blair. She holds grudges. Huge grudges."

"Okay, I admit, I am still new to the world of Blair. But you have to understand she's just trying to protect herself because it's quite clear that nobody else is.

So look, you just have to say sorry, and you can't be upset by Blair's reaction because she has every right to be upset for however long she wants to be. But nothing will happen until you say sorry. And I mean a genuine apology."

"Yeah, you're right." Serena replies somberly.

"So we're done here?" I ask cause I'm eager to go dancing again.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Never a problem." I point my water bottle to her as I walk past, and then take a sip.

"Are you going to dance?" She calls out.

"Yeah!" I shout back but my eyes are still looking ahead of me.

"Can I join you?"

I turn around with furrowed eyebrows because that's the last thing I expected her to want to do now. But she looks so hopeful and after all the tears she just let go, I couldn't possibly make her feel worse than she already does could I?

"Yeah, why not?" I wave my hand for her to come.

Her pearly whites bare as she suddenly starts skipping towards me. We get on the floor and would it even be a punk party if the Ramones aren't on the Dj's set list?

I always knew Serena was a party girl but I always pictured it as the overbearing type. But tonight I realize I couldn't of been more wrong. Dancing with her is actually loads of fun. With her rockstar boots, ripped stockings, mini-skirt and ruffled up hair, you'd think she was taken straight out of CBGB.

It's like with every passing song the music just becomes harder and harder but in such a way that it's strangely enjoyable.

The hours are running along and Serena keeps moving strong. But it's probably the fact she's on her fifth drink already. There's still no sight of my Dad and Lily but who cares? The current song comes to an end and I look to my watch:21:37pm

"Oh my god! I love this song!" Serena nearly screams as she grabs both of my hands.

It all happens so quickly but she's got me moving with her to the beat of this stupendously groovy song and I've just found out that I can move my shoulders too! I can't even get a grip with the lyrics or anything that's happening around because I'm just so lost in the moment. This might be the closest thing to ecstasy I'll experience.

This song too comes to a close and I have to take a breather. I let go of Serena's hands and make my way to a nearby couch. She stays dancing and I'm sure there's nothing in this world that could pull this girl away from a good time.

I think I can honestly give myself a pat on the back. This is the furthest out of my comfort zone I've ever gone. Which reminds me, I really need to say thanks to my dad when we get home.

*BUZZ* That's my phone. I take it out from my jean pocket quickly because it might be a text from Blair. But it's not.

Evening Upper East Siders. It seems this Friday night has been all about the party in Manhattan. Take it from the Buzzcocks beating in the Van Der Woodsen penthouse while our Golden Girl turned Goth dances ecstatically with Brooklyn's very own. Mmm, Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't've, lonely boy? *MP4*

XOXO, Gossip Girl

No ways. There's no ways this is happening. I open the video and it's probably the most incriminating thing I've ever seen. Me and Serena, dancing, hands intertwined, bright eyes and wide smiles, as the stupid Buzzcocks spit out lyrics of, "Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't of?" If Blair sees this who knows what she'll think.

I jump off the couch and rush through the penthouse to find my dad. Luckily he's back at the bar but weirdly enough, without Lily.

"Dad!"

"Hey, son, you're still at the party? I told you you'll enjoy it." He grins.

"I have to go. It's an emergency. But I'll be back to pick you up, don't worry." I say quickly.

"Wait, what? What's wrong?" He asks worriedly.

"It's nothing, it's Blair."

"Is she okay?"

"Yes, but she won't be for very long if you keep me here." I glare.

"Okay, go. And don't worry about picking me up, Lily will take me home."

"Thanks, Dad."

I turn on my heels and rush to the dancefloor, "Serena!"

"Hey, Dan..." She chuckles, "...what's up?" She's so drunk.

"Where does Nate stay?"

"Nate? Wha-why do you wanna know where Nate sTayS?"

"Look, can you just tell me." My eyes narrow.

"But I'm busy having fun." She moans.

"Well stop having fun and tell me!"

"Someone's a party pooper." She pokes me on my chest playfully and I'm so close to losing my patience.

"Just give me an address, a building, a street. Anything Serena!" I plead.

"Uhh, they don't live in a building dummy." She chuckles.

"Oh, forget about it." I shake my head and turn around."

"4 East 74th Street...I think." She blurts out.

4 East 74th Street - I repeat to myself. I would turn around and say thanks but she's costed me too much time for me to feel appreciative right now.

I'm out the building and in the car in no time. Luckily all these rich kids live in a literal bubble of wealth that all their places of residency are nearby to one another. I get to the Archibald home but all the parking spots are taken for at least 3 blocks. I find a parking 4 streets away and rush down the walkway. Once outside the house, I take out my phone to dial Blair's number. But it rings to no avail. I try again and again and again, but still nothing. And it's not like I can just barge through the doors because there's two huge security guards outside and they're currently looking straight at me. This Punk outfit is definitely not doing me any favors right now either.

I'm about to walk away so these guys don't get suspicious but just as I step, the front doors of the townhouse slam open. It's Blair. She comes running down the stairs with tears streaming down her face. She saw the blast. She comes off the last step, hands on her face, not even noticing me, and makes a sharp right to walk to I'm not even sure where. Her heels clap hard on the ground as she rushes down the sidewalk but her stuttering, snuffly cries are much louder.

"Blair!" I rush after her.

She stops dead.

I catch up to her and her shoulders are literally shuddering. I absolutely hate myself right now.

"Blair..." I get in front of her and put my hands gently on her arms, "...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. That video...it wasn't at all what it looked like I swear."

"Dan..." Her voice cracks, "...I...I don't even know what to say to you right now." She shakes her head and the tears start gushing.

Her entire face falls as her mouth frowns. There's nothing I can say.

"You knew Dan! You knew that I was scared about you and Serena..." She removes my hands from her, "... I don't care if nothing happened or if it was innocent. What made you think dancing with her or even being with her tonight, without me even knowing, would be okay? Or were you just hoping I wouldn't find out?"

"No. No. It's not like that, Blair. I promise. I didn't even know Serena was going to be there..."

"Dan..." She stops me, "...I can't do this right now."

"But Blair."

"No buts, Dan."

My eyes hit the ground in defeat and heartbreak. She's right. She's so right. I messed up. She moves past me and hurries into the street with her hand in the sky, waving for a cab. I watch her get in with hopes that she'll turn back to look at me. She doesn't.

As I walk back to the car, hands in pockets while kicking stones, an image of Blair crying herself to sleep tonight punches itself into my mind. And it's this thought that sends my knees knocking hard against the cold concrete floor of 74th street as my hands catch my face full of tears. I feel like screaming, but all I do is stifle the heart wrenching cries beneath my throat. I can't do this. I can't let her go home and cry herself to sleep.

In a split second I make make up my mind. It's a stupid idea, but nothing could possibly be more stupid than putting myself in a position to hurt Blair. I get up and hurry back to the car, tears and all, and speed as fast as I can with this old piece of shit back to Brooklyn. Once at the loft I grab everything I need, leaving my dads cupboard of instruments looking a little messed up, and rush out to get to the car again. Thereafter I stop at this 24 hour music store around the corner from the loft.

It's bordering midnight as I cross the bridge back into Manhattan and my heart's racing almost as fast as when Blair's giving me one of her electric kisses.

I just hope what I need to be at her building is there.

The tyres screech as I bring the car to a stop in front of Blairs building and in a second I'm taking the things out of the trunk and making my way to the side of the building. Luck's on my side tonight as I see the thing I was hoping for - a window cleaning lift. The only problem now is I don't know what side of the building Blair's room is. But let's not worry about the technicalities of it all. She lives right on top and that's good enough. And this lift is only hovering from the one side of the building so it's not like I have other options either.

I hop onto the lift, set down the things I brought from home and now all that's left to do is figure out how this thing works. I grab onto the remote hanging on one of the steel cables and there's a green arrow button pointing up, so I guess we'll start there? I press on it cautiously, and after a second or two of motor noises, which probably wakes up the entire building, the lift starts reeling upwards. Right to the top we go.

I stop the lift on the penthouse floor. Whatever you do Dan, just don't look down. I then bend down and grab the boombox I brought from home and put in the cassette tape I got from the music store. With the boombox steadily on my head, standing right outside I'm not even sure whose bedroom window, I press the side of this heavy metal thing and hope for the best. Without warning the drums slam out the speakers as this 'Something Corporate' track nearly gives me a heart attack. But there's no room for a mistake while standing on an unsteady window washing lift so I manage to stay as still as possible.

My bottom lip is being bitten down on vigorously as the guitars start coming through and when Andrew McMahon starts singing, my heart hits against my chest multiple times because where's Blair!?

With no other choice left, I raise the boombox higher above my head - thanks Andy, but I've got it from here.

"Maybe when I'm done with endings, this can begin..." My eyes shut as I'm about to pour my heart out into the next two lines, "This can begin!.." the sound of a window being lifted up gets my attention, and standing there, like the angel she is in her white nighty, Blair Waldorf, with eyes of shock and a smile of...let's call it rock tonight,"This can begin!..If you could be my Punk Rock Princess, I would be your Garage Band King!" I absolutely scream.

"Humphrey!" She laughs my favorite laugh, sending flutters through my chest, "What the hell are you doing!?"

Tears stream down my face, "Blair Waldorf, please say you'll be my punk rock princess and I'll promise to never punk it out with anyone else ever again!" I shout over the stupidly loud boombox.

"Get in here you idiot!" She chuckles and moves out the entry way of the window.

I push the pounding boombox through first and Blair quickly grabs it and shuts it off. She then puts it down to come and help me get inside safely.

"You're crazy, d'you know that?" She tells me.

"About you? Yeah, I do." I say and she pushes me playfully in response.

"Look, I'm so sorry about tonight but there was no way I was gonna let you go to sleep crying, Blair. Especially not over me. So you've only got one option here and it's to hear me out."

"There's no need to explain anything, Humphrey. Serena called me about 20 minutes ago and cleared everything up. She was super drunk though, but like they say, drunk minds speak sober thoughts." She chuckles.

"Wait, she did?.." My eyebrows furrow, "...then why didn't you call me to say anything?"

"Mmm, just like you didn't call to say you're going out with your dad tonight too? Leaving me to assume the worst after that blast?" She raises her eyebrows.

I chuckle, "Okay, I guess deserved that one, yeah."

"So a Punk Rocker?..." She teases, "...that's new."

That awfully disrespectful smile grinning on her face right now forces me to clutch her cheeks in my hands and kiss her hard. She laughs as our lips collide but soon enough she grabs on my leather lapels and pulls me in deeper. It's amazing how the night changes. And it's amazing how the simple touch of two mouths can change the night.

It's Saturday already, so the hopes of this Friday being any good gets trampled upon. This kiss could've saved it, and even though there were moments of ecstasy during the night, the very thought of possibly hurting Blair will always cast the darkest cloud over any bliss I might experience.

After a good wrestling match between our tongues, Blair pushes me into her elevator, bites her lip with a naughty smile as the doors close and sends me back down before her mom gets home. Tonight may well have been the closest thing to heartbreak I've ever experienced, and the fact that it's all because Blair's heart was breaking sends shivers down my spine. For I realize we're one and the same now, and as much as her happiness is my happiness, so too is her sadness my sadness.

I finally get home and my dad's already knocked out on his bed. It takes me a few seconds to get out of all this tight fitted clothing but I do manage to break free at some point, and like falling against a cloud, I collapse onto my bed. But just as I'm about to drift off to sleep, my phone buzzes. Oh, please don't be another Gossip Girl blast.

(Text):

Yes.

-Blair

Yes?

-Dan

Yes, I'll be your Punk Rock Princess.

-Blair.

...